Dutchess County announced the awarding of funding of 18 projects throughout the county including a South Avenue sidewalk, for a total of more than $1.85 million allocated to all of the projects. Funding is through the Dutchess County’s 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment partnership programs. County Executive Marc Molinaro said: “The funded projects will improve accessibility, address critical community needs and expand affordable housing options throughout Dutchess County.”

Included in the CDBG grant is Beacon’s own partial sidewalk on the east side of South Avenue that borders Loopers Court between Wolcott (near Beacon Dental and Sal’s Pizza) and West Center Street (near South Avenue Elementary).

The City of Beacon has been working on this sidewalk funding since at least last year. Announced at the 11/15/2021 City Council Meeting by City Administrator Chris White, the application to allocate some of the CDBG money was submitted.

City Administrator Chris announced that the bid of the sidewalk replacement had been awarded to the lowest bidder, Precise Enterprises II LTD. The City Administrator said: “$185K was estimate. It’s great considering volatility of commodities and labor.” He said that the project would move forward in late August or September. The project has started by early August, as seen in the picture above.

Origins Of The CDBG and HOME Program Funding

CDBG and HOME program funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address locally identified community development and housing needs. According to the press release, CDBG funding supports community development projects and activities that benefit low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, populations and communities; while the HOME Investment program creates affordable housing options for low-income households.

CDBG Infrastructure Projects - Totaling $1,128,740

City of Beacon – South Avenue Sidewalk Replacement – $177,588
Improve pedestrian safety and accessibility by removing the existing sidewalk which is in disrepair and installing a new 5-foot-wide accessible sidewalk with monolithic curbing on the east side of South Avenue from West Center Street to Wolcott Avenue.

Town of Clinton – Creek Meeting House Accessibility Enhancements – $100,000
Installation of handicapped-accessible parking spaces, a walkway, ramp and entrance, as well as bathroom upgrades to eliminate barriers and improve accessibility for senior citizens.

Town of Dover - Boyce Park Multi-Purpose ADA-Compliant Recreation Facility – $150,000
Enhance recreational opportunities by constructing a new 94-foot-by-50-foot, multi-purpose, prefabricated steel and insulated recreational facility that includes a regulation-sized basketball court with retractable bleachers and room dividers to accommodate an array of activities for people of all ages and abilities.

Town of Hyde Park – Beck Park Improvement Project – $100,000
Enhance opportunity, safety and accessibility for residents by enlarging the basketball court, relocating the existing playground equipment and soccer fields, and adding a safe and accessible parking area.

Hyde Park Supervisor Al Torreggiani said, “All Hyde Park residents should have access to their town’s facilities, and we thank Dutchess County for this grant, which will make our popular Beck Park even more accessible to those of every ability. County Executive Marc Molinaro has long championed those of all abilities, and our town looks forward to future collaborations with the County that continue to benefit Hyde Park residents.”

Town of Poughkeepsie – Jones Street Sidewalk Improvements – $100,000
Promote pedestrian safety along Jones Street by removing and replacing the existing narrow sidewalk with a fully accessible sidewalk, including curb ramps and a newly painted crosswalk at the intersection of Jones Street and Main Street.

Village of Millbrook – Franklin Avenue Accessibility Enhancements – $100,000
Promote accessibility for senior citizens and people of all abilities by replacing curb ramps and existing sidewalk panels heaved by tree roots, including the removal and replacement of trees with invasive roots, using structured soil which will promote healthy tree growth.

Village of Millerton – Eddie Collins Memorial Park Swimming Pool and Bath House – $150,000
Design and construction of an accessible pool and bathhouse at Eddie Collins Memorial Park, a 17-acre recreational site, which will advance the community’s quality of life while expanding recreational opportunities for residents.

Village of Rhinebeck – Pedestrian Accessibility Enhancements – $100,000
Improve accessibility for senior citizens and people of all abilities by resetting blue stone sidewalks, constructing curb ramps with tactile warning strips and adding a crosswalk.

Village of Tivoli – Broadway Sidewalk Phase 4 – $150,000
Improve pedestrian safety by replacing approximately 460 linear feet of dilapidated blue stone sidewalk from 104 Broadway to Kaatsbaan Road, including a curb ramp near the western terminus at the Kaatsbaan driveway.

CDBG Public Service Projects – Totaling $150,000

Catholic Charities - Homeless Prevention Case Management Program – $25,000
Emergency rent assistance and limited utilities assistance to approximately 50 low-income Dutchess County residents to help stabilize housing. Case management assists clients in independently sustaining their household needs.

Friends of Seniors - Senior Transportation and Support Services – $25,000
Provide county residents age 60+ with basic support services, including transportation to non-emergency medical appointments, grocery shopping, visiting services, telephone reassurance and respite to primary caregivers.

Hudson River Housing - Housing First Support Services – $25,000
Case management services under the Housing First Program help high-risk, vulnerable homeless adults secure and maintain stable housing.

Hudson River Housing - River Haven Homeless Youth Program – $25,000
Crisis services, emergency housing, counseling, case management and youth development programming for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth ages 10-17. River Haven Independent Living Program provides services for older homeless and at-risk youth transitioning towards self-sufficiency. River Haven Transitional Living Community provides 17- to 25-year-old homeless youth safe housing as they work towards independence within two years.

Mental Health America of Dutchess County - Substance Abuse Residential Recovery Services – $25,000
A comprehensive continuum of services offering the promise of recovery to chemically dependent individuals. MARC offers emergency housing, non-hospital-based detox and treatment referral, community residences, supportive housing, counseling, life skill training, vocational development, sober supported apartments, tenant counseling and rent subsidies.

Northeast Community Council - Youth Development: Teen Team and CPSB – $25,000
Teen Team is a peer support group that provides educational, recreational, and community service opportunities for socioeconomically disadvantaged youth ages 14-18. The Community Partnership with Schools and Business (CPSB) offers workforce development and intern opportunities in local businesses for youth ages 14-21.

HOME Projects – Totaling $572,969

Annex at Snow Terrace, 28 Snow Terrace, Poughkeepsie – $91,870
Rehabilitation of former Webster House emergency shelter into six permanent one-bedroom units for the homeless/formerly homeless.

The Woods at Pawling, Castagna Drive, Pawling – $350,000
New construction of 80 units of affordable housing in five buildings. Project will be composed of 20 one-bedroom, 40 two-bedroom and 20 three-bedroom apartments.

South Grand Avenue, Poughkeepsie – $131,099
New construction of a single four-bedroom ADA-accessible home on the southside of the City of Poughkeepsie.